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The Tato Series: An Interview with Peter Alfonso

Hey everyone~

Welcome to an idea I’ve had in my brain for a little while. I thought to myself how cool it would be to chat “Q&A” style with Androids most popular and hard to reach Developers. To try and get under the surface a bit and see just what these guys are all about. My buddy and fellow reader TechDeft have decided to track these people down and ask them the questions we think everyone wants the answers to!

Last week I had a rare privilege to sit down (at a computer) with Mr. Peter Alfonso, the man behind one of the most popular custom ROMs to date, ‘Bugless Beast’. As a fan and frequent user myself I was very excited and even nervous to be chatting with him. As it turns out though, he is a super easy going and NICE guy! We love that! Makes for an easy chat and we hope you like it as much as we did! 🙂

-Tim-o-tato

———————————————————————-

Tim-o-tato: So Mr. Pete, if you could for people who may not know (live under a rock), could you please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

Pete: Well, people call me Pete. By day I am a student and employee at Advance Auto Parts and by night I work on Bugless Beast. Currently in my second year of college.

TechDeft: College student? Whats your major?

Pete: Currently I’m finishing my last semester at a local community college. My major is computer science. I recently switched it.

Tim-o-tato: What were you taking before?

Pete: I used to want to pursue a career as an orthodontist but then I bought a Droid and my life changed 😛 So most of my classes I completed are no longer needed for Computer Science major so I am a bit behind in school now.

TechDeft: So you wanted to give people braces and now you want to do comp sci! And you saw Droid commercials, and now you are going to program. That’s quite a shift! Were friends and family surprised?

Pete: Well to be honest I have no idea what sparked the orthodontist thing. I had braces when I was younger and most parents tell their kids, “Your going to be a doctor when you grow up” so I just went with it. Once I decided to switch my family was not surprised. My mom works for IBM, I think she knew it was going to happen sooner or later.

Tim-o-tato: How did you hear about the Android OS? Or the Droid in general.

Read the rest of the interview with Pete after the jump!

Pete: I have always heard of “Android” but never really knew what it was before my Droid. One of my friends had bought an HTC Hero and I noticed how well it combined all of the Google services I was using. So I decided to do some research on these phones. At the time the Droid commercials got me hooked.

Tim-o-tato: Yea, those commercials are what got me too! So have you always been sort of a tech guru? Into programming and things of that nature?

Pete: Actually before buying my Droid I had opened a command prompt window only a few times! That’s how I know this is what I was meant to do. I pick it up and learn this extremely fast!

Tim-o-tato: So how did you learn about it?

Pete: I have always been around technology, but nothing like what I do now. After buying the Droid (the day it came out) I was curious as to why some of the stock applications could not be removed. This REALLY bothered me so I decided to Google, “How to remove amazon mp3 android” or something similar. The search eventually led me to a You-tube video of a kid typing in some commands into a terminal to remove the app. I eventually found out root access was needed. After I rooted my Droid, I found these threads that would provide simple tutorials on how to add apps or remove apps but at the time I thought these people were like gods. After I became more comfortable and able to add or remove a few things I decided to make a “ROM” for my friends.

Tim-o-tato: So then how is it that you got to where you are these days? ‘Interwebs celebrity’ status! Did you know your work would become such a success??

Pete: I decided to post my “ROM” (although at the time I had no clue what a “ROM” was) on forums and some people were daring enough to try my work! I got a lot of positive feedback so I kept working. Then I got my own section and was labeled a “developer”. Just seeing that motivated me more than you could believe. I would wake up with ideas in my head and try them until they worked.

TechDeft: And how did that translate to what we see today? Many hours of hard work? Inspiration?

Pete: Tons of hard work! I stay up very late most nights reading and trying to learn as much as possible. Inspiration yes, the feedback I got from people using my ROM and the “Developer” label under my name pushed me to continue.

TechDeft: What do you feel is currently lacking in your work? What do you wish you could improve that you do not have the knowledge to do?

Pete: Well, as I mentioned earlier I am in my second year of college. Unfortunately I have not had any classes to guide me with any of this. So far its all been self taught. You can mark my words, V0.6 will be built from source. I have never had the time to set aside to teach myself how to do it. But after I release V0.5 that will be my goal. I am sure I can do it, I just need to put aside some time and learn how. Things might be quiet for a while but that’s because I will be learning how 🙂

TechDeft: That is a question I see come up often, how come there is so much time between Bugless Beast versions, would you say that is generally because you are trying incorporate a new feature that you have to teach yourself?

Pete: Well when I first started I used to update about every 2 days, although I did learn a ton I did not manage my time well at all. Lately the releases have been more spread out because I learn so much in between that I try to incorporate in my release. Every release is somewhat of an expression of what I have learned, as I go on the ROM will get better and better as I learn.

TechDeft: Which is extremely impressive…do your friends and family know how deep into software development you are?

(TechDeft bails for work)

Pete: As far as family knowing. Most don’t really understand. My Mom does though. In fact when I have a question I go to her. lol

Tim-o-tato: So Pete, what’s it like being one of the most bugged Developers on the planet? People always asking for ETAs??

Pete: Well it’s actually very difficult. When it comes to building Bugless Beast (or anything that I have made actually) I am VERY OCD about it. I feel that if my name is going to be put on it that it has to be perfect. Because of this I am the only person I trust to work on my ROM and have very limited time to do so. I love the fact that people want the latest versions though. As far as being bugged, I get an insane amount of emails a day, I wish I could reply to all of them but it is impossible. For those who have emailed me and never got a response, please do not feel that I ignored you. In my section on various forums I try to be as kind as possible to the users and answer their questions. I can relate to them and write it in a way they understand because I was there not long ago.

Tim-o-tato: I’m sure everyone appreciates that! What about other Developers ROMs? Are there any Developers out there whom you admire their work a great deal or anything of that nature?

Pete: Yes, the work that “Xeudoxus” does is simply amazing. I could only wish that one day I will be as knowledgeable as him. Another Dev I admire is “t3hSteve”, when the Droid first came out he did some great work as well. I haven’t seen any activity from him lately but maybe that just means he moved on to bigger and better things. Really, all the Devs are great in there own ways.

Tim-o-tato: So what is it about your ROM’s in general that you think draw SOOO MANY users? You post a ROM and servers crash! What makes your so special?

Pete: I honestly have no clue. The things I see mentioned about my ROM’s the most are stability, performance, and increased battery life. I suppose that’s the mixture that makes the servers crash! I also feel that I relate to people a lot more than some other Devs since I just started 6 months ago. I still consider myself a noob and feel like a nuisance when I reach out to ask a Dev a question. It might sound crazy that I consider myself a “noob”, but I feel that there is much much more to learn. I have only skimmed the surface. I have so many ideas that I can not implement until I have the knowledge to do so.

Tim-o-tato: Then that makes me an ULTRA noob! Haha Is there anything in the works that you might want to hint readers at, at all? 😉

Pete: Well, lets just say some extra “goodies” will be included in V0.5 And on the subject of noobs, V0.5 will be the most user friendly ROM to have flashed to a noobs Droid. It will come with EVERYTHING they need. I will be doing some things that have not been done in previous ROMs.

Tim-o-tato: Oh really? Care to elaborate? 🙂

Pete: I don’t want to elaborate too much because it will be kanged before it gets out 🙁

Tim-o-tato: The name Bugless Beast. Where did it derive from?

Pete: Bugless Beast started out as Bugless Beauty. I wanted to provide a completely stable ROM. At the time, most of the ROMs had a small bug here and there and were mostly for advanced users to flash. I wanted something that would give users more features yet still be completely stable. Bugless Beauty was not overclocked. Someone suggested making an overclocked version for the more daring users and deeming it “Bugless Beast”. I supported both builds for a while as I learned what the Droid could handle. When I realized the Beast was still completely stable, I focused my attention on it and dropped the beauty. 🙂

Tim-o-tato: If Steve Jobs offered you a job at Apple. Would you take it?

Pete: Wow! Let me think about this one lol just kidding I would turn it down. I think I’d rather continue selling auto parts at Advance then work at Apple!

Tim-o-tato: Good answer! 😉

Tim-o-tato: Task killers….do you use one? 🙂

Pete: No no no! Task killers are the biggest waste of time and money for Android users. They are simply not needed, the OS handles task perfectly without them.

Tim-o-tato: Tell us something that people would never know about you! 🙂

Pete: Oh gosh, I don’t know If I want to admit it lol

Tim-o-tato: Do it 😛

Pete: Guess what phone I had before the Droid?

Tim-o-tato: Oh no!!! Say it ain’t so!!! iPhone?

Pete: You said it, not me 😛

Tim-o-tato: Well my opinion of you has changed! haha

Pete: Haha! When I got my Droid I gave the iPhone to my mom. She hated it with a passion so I bought her a G1. Android family for life!

Tim-o-tato: So other then Bugless, and auto parts….what takes up your time? Any Bugless lady friends? 😉

Pete: Well this is terrible but I did have a lady. Lost her to Bugless Beast I guess you could say. Too much time on the Droid lol This time I have learned how to set the Droid down and finish working on it later. Thats why BB V0.5 has been taking so long lol

Tim-o-tato: Oh no! That’s too bad!

Pete: Its OK, everything happens for a reason! That was a while ago, back when we were running android 2.0 Now I got my eye on someone else 😉 UPDATE: He got her!!! Congrats Pete!

Tim-o-tato: Pssh, 2.0 was ages ago!

Tim-o-tato: So I know you’re busy. Is there ANYTHING you want to say to the community or in general before I let you go?

Pete: Hmmmm….let me think. I really just want to say thank you to all those who use Bugless Beast and to those who have donated to me. Without their support I would have never found my true calling. I would have been stuck working on kids braces all day as a career. Now I can pursue my dreams!!!

Tim-o-tato: And what are your dreams?

Pete: My dreams are to work for Google. I just smiled typing that! 🙂

Tim-o-tato: Awe! That’s awesome man. I wish you the best of luck. And I am sure I speak for everyone when saying that!

Pete: Thanks man, you better believe Im not gonna stop until I make it!

Tim-o-tato: Pete, I wanna thank you for your time and generosity in allowing us the privilege to talk to you!

Hope to see you drop by Droid-Life sometime!

Pete: No problem! Anytime!

———————————————————

Hope you all have enjoyed the first of many Q&A’s. If anyone has any questions for future Developers, please leave it in the comment section below and we will do our best to get it done! Thanks everyone!

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Hotchner is the director of the Museum of Arts and Design. She says the ladies barbour
jacketsmuseum
considers jewelry as one of the most important forms of art today. She
notes that a piece of jewelrykid’s barbour
jacketis not just a small version of a sculpture.

He is a kid going thru college that has taken an interest, sounds like the story of some of the greatest people we have in our country.

He admits he is learning and not writing from source code.

Pete basically tears apart the boot process of these ROM's, configures and tweaks the ROM to make it what it is. To do this takes someone time and effort to learn the boot process, what config files are involved and what is needed to make this ROM perform better. Don't take that too lightly….

The developers concentrate on their code, there is no involvment or little involvement in the build process. The build process is usually another team that is being directed by marketing and the business need which may not be for performance or picking the best apps in the market to be put in the build suite.

We need people like Pete, if he starts becoming what you want to term a real “developer”, then guess what ? We have lost the configuration guy, the guy who concentrates on making it lean, the guy who will blend the best apps.His skills are just as important as any other skill. These ROMS need him just as the guy/gal who is developing the source.

The fact he has no experience is what intrigues me quite a bit. And a lot of other people too.DONT WORRY, in the works we have quote on quote “real” developers. There will be posts for everyone.

No need to troll around and post silly comments on here. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Thanks for reading though! I appreciate it! Maybe I can get a retweet from you? lol

Marvel

I just love that pete throws out newly released leaked ROM's and pretty much uses them as his base and then says “Where did I get them: None of your business!” what a great dev 😛

boojiboy

Major fail. This “mechanic” is an inspiration and should be an example to us all.

Zander_206

I have been always been a buglessbeast fan! and this is a great concept, let people know what the dev is about… Major props Tim-o-tato !

bugless believer

That was an inspiring read. I always pictured Peter as some highly experienced, highly educated programming professional. To learn he's a self-taught programmer and a Community College student who works at an auto parts shop really turned my head around. I would bet my house that someday Peter is going to be incredibly rich thanks to his Android endeavors. If he wants to work at Google they would be FOOLS not to make him a lucrative offer today!

ReebyWantsYoMom

I've had all his roms and not because i worship him but because there fast and i've never had any problems with them. I made sure when i gave my droid to my gf bugless beast was installed instead of other slightly glitchie roms that i didn't mind but could be annoying to someone new to android.Who cares where he got his knowledge he's great at what he does 🙂

I wonder if his moms phone(g1) is rooted and running bugless beast…haha seriouly??? Is she??

Marvel

I just love that pete throws out newly released leaked ROM's and pretty much uses them as his base and then says “Where did I get them: None of your business!” what a great dev 😛

Zander_206

I have been always been a buglessbeast fan! and this is a great concept, let people know what the dev is about… Major props Tim-o-tato !

bugless believer

That was an inspiring read. I always pictured Peter as some highly experienced, highly educated programming professional. To learn he's a self-taught programmer and a Community College student who works at an auto parts shop really turned my head around. I would bet my house that someday Peter is going to be incredibly rich thanks to his Android endeavors. If he wants to work at Google they would be FOOLS not to make him a lucrative offer today!

sheldawg

Man this is the stuff I love to hear 🙂 yo Pete keep up the good work. I can't believe you have only been doing this for a short time, you are a natural. The only thing that makes me sad about this interview is that I bought the Droid X and can not enjoy your ROMS at this time. Will im sure the boot loader issue will be solved and when it does my Droid X will be ready to wear some Bugless Beast 🙂

dylan84

Great interview. Talking to the developers that we all love is an awesome idea.

Toni

Love this interview. I'm pissed he has a girlfriend though. =//

1bad69z28

Tim, Techdeft this was really cool, ever since I rooted (Thanks TIM) Bugless Beast has been really good and I read his posts as well. He really cares about his work and tries to accomodate all users. Really a smart kid. You guys did an outstanding job. Google needs to hire this guy lol. Good and good idea on this post. This really sets DroidLife apart from other blogs. More Posts about differnt subjects and the people behind the rise of Android is always good. Proud of you guys 🙂

P!X3L

I hope you people will stop worshiping this auto parts mechanic that learned what he knows about android from a youtube video put up by some kid….

interview some real devs…

Aaron H

You're a real gem.

Pete isn't pretending to be a “real dev”. Regardless of whether you use (or like) his ROMs, this interview to other developers – just pointing out that Pete has a great story).shows that the guy has drive and has a classic “rise from the ashes” story that is respected – THAT is why this article is more interesting that what a “real dev” would say in an interview (not to be disparaging

Not sure what you do for a living P!X3L (besides trolling), but I bet you are a real pleasure.

Love your work Pete; look for another donation w/ .5.

P!X3L

Well it doesn't bother me that you choose to run hacked up stock rom with some added scripts. I'm not exactly sure what you were trying to type out there, but you failed. I just think its awesome that all the BB fanboys just learned that their “dev” has no training or skills. I don't understand the following behind him at all. I just don't get what makes an auto parts specialist who doesn't have a degree and hacks up a rom a “great” story… I would rather hear from a dev that actually knows what the hell they're doing like cvpcs, cyanogen, koush, anyone who builds from source and makes real code modifications.

Go ahead and give him your money. I don't care. Just ask how far he's gotten with the locked bootloader on the X he was given. Oh yeah thats right he has no clue how to even write a bootloader…

I'm graphic/web designer, but I'm not really sure what that has to do with anything…

The fact he has no experience is what intrigues me quite a bit. And a lot of other people too.DONT WORRY, in the works we have quote on quote “real” developers. There will be posts for everyone.

No need to troll around and post silly comments on here. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Thanks for reading though! I appreciate it! Maybe I can get a retweet from you? lol

Ryan C

Sounds like this guys comes from Apple.. hehe

ReebyWantsYoMom

I've had all his roms and not because i worship him but because there fast and i've never had any problems with them. I made sure when i gave my droid to my gf bugless beast was installed instead of other slightly glitchie roms that i didn't mind but could be annoying to someone new to android.Who cares where he got his knowledge he's great at what he does 🙂

boojiboy

Major fail. This “mechanic” is an inspiration and should be an example to us all.

Ima Martinez 1

He is a kid going thru college that has taken an interest, sounds like the story of some of the greatest people we have in our country.

He admits he is learning and not writing from source code.

Pete basically tears apart the boot process of these ROM's, configures and tweaks the ROM to make it what it is. To do this takes someone time and effort to learn the boot process, what config files are involved and what is needed to make this ROM perform better. Don't take that too lightly….

The developers concentrate on their code, there is no involvment or little involvement in the build process. The build process is usually another team that is being directed by marketing and the business need which may not be for performance or picking the best apps in the market to be put in the build suite.

We need people like Pete, if he starts becoming what you want to term a real “developer”, then guess what ? We have lost the configuration guy, the guy who concentrates on making it lean, the guy who will blend the best apps.His skills are just as important as any other skill. These ROMS need him just as the guy/gal who is developing the source.

Michael_NM

+1000 “I think I’d rather continue selling auto parts at Advance then work at [fa]pple!”

Lord Tato, This is a great idea!!! Funny, how we learn something every day. I had never seen TechDeft and Pete in the same room (or at all for that matter), but I had no clue they were one in the same. This Q&A idea is an instant classic!!!

I think this Q&A should be a regular thing here on DL. I really enjoyed reading this 🙂

villian1998

This is great! Reading this makes me want to develop my own ROM….

Matthew

Great work guys! Awesome to read and know a little more about Pete Alfonso. I myself just rooted last week and am using his Bugless Beast. My Droid 1 runs smooth as butter! Thanks again and look forward to future interviews.

keep em comming! sweet article. This is the cointent this site needs! This gives me inspiration to learn more about dev. work and im sure many others here will agree. Who knows, maybe one of these readers will be a dev. we look up to one day….

tonytbone7883

Real nice job tato, Pete I just wanna say, I've had problems with other ROMS but the Bugless Beast really lives up to it's name, and is the most stable ROM out there. I use it just as you made it and don't put any kernels in it because it's plenty fast as is. I tried other kernels, and always restored the original version. I love it and can't wait for 0.5 especially after that interview!!!!

I can't believe that he had no idea what to do from the start and that he is still a “noob” in the dev world. Bugless Beast is amazing. It's one of the few ROMs that don't have bugs and it is incredibly stable. Pete's the man!

Wait… wait… wait… did I heard (read) talking about BB V0.6 already?? so that mean that BB V0.5 it is almost ready to release??Seems that Pete is going to release 0.5 the same day that Big Red pushes Froyo.

Great stuff. I love it. I've been a developer for 10ish years all over the place — Java, .Net, RoR, Groovy, and some of the legacy platforms, too (cold fusion, classic M$ stuff, etc.)… and man, it's inspiring to think of all that Pete has done in his short time as a developer.

Makes me want to get going with it… but then there's the wife, kid, etc. Anyway, thank god for people like Pete. I'm sure that dream of his to work for Google is only a matter of time, if he keeps up his current track…

Wouldn't you love to be in that interview, though?

Sergey: “So Pete, I understand we're speaking with you today regarding our Android Product Owner and Chief Developer Role… I see by looking at your resume that you've got part of a pre-ortho degree, with work experience at Advance Autoparts.”

Pete: “Yup.”

Sergey: “…..”

Pete: “lol”

Sergey: “OK, well… when can you start, I guess, and how much do you want us to pay you?”

Awesome interview. One reason I believe Pete's work is so strong is the fact he does this becuase he loves to and his pure passion is what drives his “OCD” and helps to make every new version of BB the best ROM available.

El El Kool J

You do Awesome work Pete… We all appreciate your Hard work and dedication to the Droid World. I hope the donations keep coming in.

imo BB runs better than any other rom I have used before on my Moto DroidI tried CM6 for a while but felt really sluggish, by that time I used Home++ as a Home Replacement and many times was restarting or foreclosing, so I just give it up (I did Wipe Data and Cache) then I tried the stock 2.2 (FRF01B) and was alright but then I tried BB0.4 and the Droid started to run faster, and yeah it has the stock skin which is just great coz when u use themes you have to be downloading replacement for widgets like Facebook, Twitter, and sometimes you can even find one. Really I like BB0.4PETE CONTINUE YOUR WORK!!!!

Never mind the fact that for a while now many people loading up Bugless Beast are first timers(one of the first few ROMs in the free version). This means that they would be coming from 2.1, which you do see a MAJOR speed increase over.

thomascj

are the benchmark scores pre and post installation considered “unsuppportable nonsense” ?

Mrpicolas

If you ask any developer the will tell you scrores mean hardly anything check the sapphire wiki for information relitive to scores 🙂

Jonboi78

I'm kind of wondering what objective analysis you've done or can cite for us. I personally would be willing to objectively analyze your “douchiness”. I liked the article and think Bugless Beast rocks. Pete gets stuff out for people to use that Motorola is still sitting on and hasn't pushed out for the masses to even use yet.

Sigmundroid

Banderberg. Lrn2read/comprehend what you've read.People make statements because they're a fan of Pete's work, nuff said.

They try something out, and it works…They will praise it. Sounds like you're jealous no oneruns what you run when they run something else they enjoy. Bias much?

Pete has said (when asked) that people like his ROMS because they focus on-stability-performance-and battery life…

He never said it was better, but the FACT remains he *IS* one of, or is THE developerthe masses go to when wanting a ROM for their Droid.

Thanks for trying.

P!X3L

copypasta != dev

his roms are nothing more than stock with some added scripts and ripped off apks

Tyler

where is the dislike button?

L_P

Let's ask… is your phone rooted? If so, have you used the BB Rom?

DigitalHeadChange

Yes and Yes. I ran BB for two weeks and felt that it just didn’t give me options like in CM6. It ran great and worked fine on my OG Droid. (overclocked of course). I just wait for the next update, try BB again, since its so widely acclaimed, and see for myself.

Right now im on CM6.1.2 with the latest ADW. And thats only because of the mod options from CM6

Oh and whoever said that CM was a stock rom, youre an idiot. NOTHING that comes from motorola is even half as good as BB or CM or even SDv7 go try whats out there and then make a descion.

Keep rocking Pete!!!

Jim

I am rooted and have rom manager premium. I have downloaded and installed every single rom to see what they are like including kernels and themes. Without a doubt BB 4 is the only rom that runs without issues bugs or fcs….. it even runs better than stock froyo. My battery life lasts longer with BB as well. Pete has done a great job and if you think not bring your Droid and put it up against mine running BB 4. I would bet my next com check that mine will run smoother faster and last longer……..

Good job man and Pete what a great guy gonna have to donate and support him

Suckit

[credit it pete]

planetes42

I love me some Bugless Beast — thanks for your work!

QUANTUMFLUX21

1ST AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK PETER

Magnet1200

2nd?

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